Unbeatens Set To Square Off

September 6, 2012

NEW MANCHESTER - Coming off an emotional high by winning the first game at the Oak Glen Sports Complex, Oak Glen must put that behind it and focus on the task this week in a tough Indian Creek squad that is also 2-0.

Still, a 44-0 thumping of Wellsville was a special moment for the kids, the fans and the coaches, notably new head coach Ian Whittington, a former standout with the Golden Bears.

''It was an amazing feeling,'' Whittington said. ''I heard the crowd was 4,000 (people). It was amazing what the community was able to do. We had a Gold Rush. It was so loud I had to keep adjusting my headset so I could hear the other coaches.

''It was history in the making. It was really special for me, being my first year, my alma mater and to watch these kids get a great victory for our school.''

The Golden Bears did it behind a three-headed monster of quarterback Bub Haddox, Trey Smith, and David Campbell. Each rushed for more than 100 yards, led by Haddox with 145 yards and four touchdowns. Campbell had 146 yards and one score, while Smith went for 122 yards and a touchdown.

''Bub has really lit it up the past two games,'' Whittington said. ''Trey Smith moved to tailback after Tyler Steed got hurt and did a great job and we knew David Campbell would be a good runner.

''All three guys are doing what they need and by having them in one series at a time, we are keeping them fresh.''

It's something that Indian Creek coach Andrew Connor is very concerned about.

The Redskins have already spoiled the home opener of one Hancock County squad, a Week 1 victory against Weir, and would love to take down another team in its shiny new stadium.

''They are going to be a difficult team,'' Connor said. ''They are big up front and they don't beat themselves. We have to have a good rushing attack and our defense has to be up to the task.

''They are bigger than us on the line (Oak Glen averages 260 pounds to Indian Creek's 235), so we know they are going to go shoe-to-shoe and try to pound it down our throats. We have to have smart gap responsibility.''

Like Oak Glen, Indian Creek has been getting strong running out of numerous ballcarriers, including Tran Huynh and Logan Woods.

''These guys have been working really hard and it's nice to see that hard work pay off,'' Connor said. ''It's a lot better to be 2-0 than anything else right now.

''There are three things we still need to get better at though and that is we've fumbled too much. Second has been a lot of dumb mistakes and a lot of penalties. Third, not giving up the big play because (Oak Glen) has a tendency to have some really big plays."